245. Narrowboat novices! The process of hiring a canal boat

Lots of folk ask me about hiring a narrowboat for a holiday so I thought I'd make a video about it. By coincidence, friends and fellow YouTubers Greg & Lou Virgoe, and John & Mandy, had decided to book a week's hire - their first time on a narrowboat - so I tagged along to document the hiring handover.

and their channels:

Note: this video is not an advertisement for ABC and I received no payment or benefit from them for making it (other than their permission to film); I pointed Greg in their direction when he asked me about hiring but he sorted the holiday out.

The RYA helmsperson's course I mentioned:

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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the YouTube music library

#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #narrowboats #canals #liveaboard

[GregVirgoe]

Lou and I would like to say a huge thank you to you for making our narrow boat week so memorable and enjoyable. It was a pleasure meeting you and having you there to guide us was the icing on the cake. Happy travels 😁

[edgarplummer]

I like the new direction your taking your channel expanding the narrowboat experience beyond just live aboard.

[johnmandy]

We had such a great week, enjoying the canal system and our time aboard the boat, of course this was made possible by not only ABC but also YOU, David, and your reassuring advice and guidance. Loved this video and it genuinely represented our lovely week on our first Narrowboat. 😁

[paulduff]

Nice to see someone encouraging Hirers, instead of other Vloggers using their errors to condemn and humiliate. Well done for your professional approach towards people enjoying a new experience on the canal👍.

[bryanwatt]

Top tip for filling water - let the hose run for a few seconds before sticking it in your tank, to clean the hose out.

[BassBusMusic]

I'm loving these mini documentaries, really interesting. Look forward to more.

[mosschops]

That was a very thorough handover. I'm not sure all hire companies are quite so comprehensive. Well done ABC.

[tomjjohnson]

I just frantically told my wife to text her mum (Mandy)! Can’t believe I’m seeing you and my in-laws in the same video. After watching you for years it’s like worlds have collided 😂

[Naztalgic]

You sir are an amazing Presenter and filmmaker. All yor videos are just a pleasure to watch !

[sapphiresword]

I'm in the northern mountains of California, watching this vlog today. (not burning at the moment, however the air is a rich red color and has a heavy smoke feel)
I must say I find this type of comradery the essence of life really.
All of you look as if you're enjoying just being alive. As we should of course.
Greg, your intrepid overseer is one of the most pleasant of people.
You and your travel companions (John & Mandy and we can't forget Lou) seem so excited to learn about boating. What a joy to watch.
Thanks for sharing this.

[greenspiritarts]

Absolutely cracking vlog! Love the camerawork, the interviews, the content from start to finish is just so enjoyable AND professional. Informative, inspiring and entertaining. Thank you for taking your work in this new direction. So refreshing and creative. Well 👏 👏 👏

[HarryP]

While I do miss your cruising vids, this current content is really fun and interesting. Your past experience shows out with the great camera work, editing and voiceover. Your content is always the highest quality and great fun to watch. Thanks David.

[lemmy]

Picked some good people for this. Greg is a total van legend!! His van build is of the highest standard!!

[beverlyfletcher]

What a lovely bunch of people! How daunting to start with but it just goes to show how 'do able' enjoying our canals on a narrowboat is. Thank you.

[TheFourFoot]

Ugh, this just makes me want a narrowboat so much more! lol

[paulherbst]

David, your vlogs keep getting better which is a very high bar. Wonderful of you to help neophytes safely enjoy the journey. And thanks to your cohorts for allowing you to share a part of their adventure.

[franktyred]

What terrific people they were, glad they enjoyed their time aboard.

[LarryTaint-qnpd]

Those are some nice people. I'm gonna check out their channels.

[agingacademy]

Yippie! Miss you so much. The world is a better place with you in it! Thank you for sharing yourself.

[jacob]

As much as I miss the old vlogs I have to admit that these mini docs are absolutely brilliant.